The Civic Theatre
511 O’Keefe Ave
New Orleans, Louisiana 70113
(504) 272-0865
View their website
Average Civic Theatre Base Cost: $37,000
Average base cost for a Civic Theatre wedding is calculated by figuring a 125-person guest list on a Saturday night with a 1-hour ceremony and 5 hour reception using average catering costs and the Civiv Signature Bar Package. Transportation to venue, entertainment, decorations, additional rentals, valet, DJ, and photography are not included. Average price includes gratuity and state sales tax. Price is rounded up to the nearest thousand.
*Prices subject to change
Facility Rental Fee:
Reception:
$4,500 for a 3-hour wedding reception, and $1,000 per hour for each additional hour.
Ceremony:
$900 for a 1-hour ceremony
What’s Included:
- Exclusivity of theatre
- Sales and logistics manager on-site to coordinate all aspects of the event (including furniture and linen rental)
- Ivory or black cotton linens and votive candles can be provided
- Six cocktail rounds and ten hi-boy tables
- Private backstage dressing room for bride & groom
- Security outside theatre, door host, and bathroom attendants
- Set up 4 hours prior to event and tear down and rental return immediately following event
- Use of the venue for pre-wedding engagement or bridal photo shoot
Extras:
- Live band or DJ
- Production is $1,500+
- Includes sound and lighting technician, Civic sound system and existing stage lighting
- Decor
- Tables, chairs & linens
- Bistro lighting
- Personalized gobos
- Additional up-lighting
- Photo booths
- Chandeliers
Civic Theatre Food/Beverage
You may use any licensed catering company (as long as they provide a certificate of insurance listing the theatre as an additional insuree); however, there will be an extra cost per guest if the caterer isn’t one of Civic’s partners, as listed below.
Ralph Brennan’s Catering & Events
Gail Varuso
Cell 504-416-7403/ Office 504-539-5515
gvaruso@neworleans-food.com
Lea Freeman
504-262-0412
LFreeman@pigeoncaterers.com
Aaron Shaffer
504-704-1559
ashaffer@mmiculinary.com
Natalie Angulo
504-613-3955
Natalie.angulo@hyatt.com
Kenny LaCour
504-451-8155
kenlacour@me.com
My House NOLA (Food trucks & indoor buffet stations)
Barrie Schwartz
504-266-0379
Barrie@myhousenola.com
Pat Patton
985-645-3600
pat@pattons.com
Marie Hasney
504-304-0567
mhasney@gmail.com
For these caterers, prices average $130 per person for a seated dinner of about 125, though there are packages available starting at $60.
Beverages are exclusively provided by Civic, which has a $6,000 bar service minimum. A 20% service charge and 10.75% sales tax will also be applied to the minimum.
*Note: if the $6,000 minimum isn’t met, the difference will be charged as additional room rental.
SEE MORE: 6 of the Biggest Ways to Save On Your Wedding Budget
Civic’s bar offerings are as follows:
The Civic Signature Package – $35+ per person
- Pricing for 3-hour open bar package
- $10 per person for each additional hour
- Spirits:
- Vodka: Tito’s UV, Absolute
- Gin: Ford’s, Tanqueray
- Rum: Barbancourt White Rum
- Whiskey: Jameson, Jack Daniels, Crown Royal
- Scotch: Dewars, Sheep Dip
- Bourbon: Elijah Craig
- Tequila: Casa Noble Crystal
- Beer:
- Abita Amber
- Miller High Life
- Bud Light
- Brooklyn Lager
- Fat Tire
- Wine:
- Cortenova Italian Pinot Grigio
- NOCO California Chardonnay
- Maipe Reserve Argentinian Malbec
- Luccerelli Italian Primitivo
- Sparkling: Terreio Prosecco
The Gallery Package – $39+ per person
- Pricing for 3-hour open bar package
- $12 per person for each additional hour
- Spirits:
- Vodka: Hangar 1, Boyd & Blaire
- Gin: Dorothy Parker
- Rum: Ron Zacapa
- Whiskey: Crown XO, Makers 46, Caribou Crossing
- Scotch: Buichladdich Organic Single Malt, Sheep Dip
- Bourbon: Elijah Craig 12 yr
- Tequila: Casa Noble Anejo
- Beer:
- Abita Amber
- Miller High Life
- Bud Light
- Brooklyn Lager
- Fat Tire
- Stella Artois
- Wine:
- Cortenova Italian Pinot Grigio
- NOCO California Chardonnay
- Maipe Reserve Argentinian Malbec
- Luccerelli Italian Primitivo
- Sparkling: Terreio Prosecco
SEE MORE: A Cozy and Chic New Orleans Wedding
The Civic Package – $41+ per person
- Pricing for 3-hour open bar package
- $14 per person for each additional hour
- This package includes the “Gallery Package” offerings, plus a selection of our signature specialty cocktails, mixed exclusively for the Civic by Neil Bodenheimer of Cure co, inspired by New Orleans.
- The Bald Soprano: Minted Ford’s Gin, Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, Bitterman’s Celery Shrub Tonic
- The Mary Leta: El Charro Blanco Tequila, Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice, Agave Nectar Served with a Salted Chili Pepper Rim
- The Awakening: Prairie Vodka, Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice, Raspberry Syrup, Rosewater Garnished with Cracked Pepper
- The Bailey Old Fashioned: George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey with Clover, Honey, Bittermens Bitters, Boston Lemon Chamomile Bitters, and garnished with lemon peel
More Civic Theatre Stats
Space Type: The theatre is all indoors, though there is an exterior walkway and entrance that provides a space for outdoor mingling. High-top tables and a bar can even be added. Ceremonies usually take place on the theatre’s “music stage,” with curtains blocking guests from viewing the reception space. This way, the reception can begin immediately post-wedding with curtains opening and allowing guests to go to the main area with food, tables, and the bar. Then the curtains will close while the band sets up and open again.
Size:
Reception: 400 guests
Seated Dinner: 250 guests
Ceremony & Reception: 175 guests
Bridal Suite: Yes, there are two green rooms available which both include a bathroom, seating area, and more.
Parking: A paid parking lot is located across the street from the venue.
Food Service Type: Your choice
How Will Grandma Get There? The Civic Theatre and downtown New Orleans are less than a 30-minute drive from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Nearby cities such as Jackson, Houston, and Montgomery are all five hours away by car. There are a number of hotels near the Civic, which average around $150-$250 per night.
Party On! Events last until midnight, but extensions can be made.
Important Note: There’s no back-of-house or kitchen space, so caterers will likely have to set up in the side alley.
The Civic Theatre Report
The Civic Theatre, located in downtown New Orleans, was originally built in 1906 as The Shubert. Over the years, the space has hosted vaudeville, burlesque, musicals, disco, and more. Now, after being renovated in 2011, The Civic is a go-to venue for weddings. The theatre’s team works with couples to customize the space and its audiovisual capabilities, while also assisting with things like custom cocktails and decor.
Woman Getting Married Says
This venue is a great mix of vintage and modern, and would be perfect for so many New Orleans’ inspired wedding themes as the space has so much history. While the wedding venue is great for larger weddings, smaller wedding groups might find the space a bit pricey. Even though most of their beverage and rental packages are based on 3 hours, keep in mind the average wedding reception is 5 hours (4 plus cocktail hour), plus one hour for a ceremony, so you’ll need to account for those two additional hours when you plan your wedding budget.
Click here to learn more about my wedding venue review process
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